From the Presiding Bishop

On Violence and Race in America

“As the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we have to recognize that this kind of violence, and also the threat and fear that it brings to our brothers and sisters in the African American community and other communities of color, is real. We, as white people, have had the privilege of not having to see. But now we recognize that this kind of violence and this threat is real. And we have to also understand that it’s happening not to them, but to all of us. We are killing ourselves. And until we, in the white community, feel that the death of a person of color is our death too, it’s not going to change.

We do have the promise, however, of a God who can bring sight to the blind. We need to show up. We need to stand with and listen to our colleagues and brothers and sisters of col-or. Even if they don’t want us to be there, or if they do, we need to show up. These people can no longer be invisible. Our eyes need to be opened, and they are open. And then we need to find a way to reach out and build actual connections with people who are visible and real and not just some sort of stereotype or archetype. Our eyes are open, and in this painful instance, Jesus is bringing sight to the blind. I urge each one of us in this church to be present in communities, to go out from our congregations and get to know other people. And also find a way to connect with law enforcement, so that they can understand that they are not doing this by themselves. And also have the opportunity for their eyes to be opened, that someone of another color is not automatically a threat.

For a long time, I think, we in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, particularly those of us who are white, have been able not to see. And have been able to say, “it happened someplace else.” That’s not true, and we know that now. So understanding and trusting that Jesus is already there, that Jesus has restored our sight, and that we can see, in the other, Christ, it’s time to get out there, people. It’s time to go out, dear church, and make the invisible visible and see these as brothers and sisters.” --Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

This was taken from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s call to be present: July 7, 2016

500th

Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation

NORTHERN GREAT LAKES SYNOD

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

Volume 28, Issue 43 August—September 2016

NOTES AND QUOTES

1029 N. Third St., Ste. A tskrenes@nglsynod.org Bishop Thomas Skrenes 1-4

Marquette, MI 49855 ngls@nglsynod.org Pr. Katherine Finegan 5-6

906/ 228-2300 phone kfinegan@nglsynod.org Vacancies/ Synod Finance 7

906/ 228-2527 fax www.nglsynod.org Prayfaithfully Devotions 8

“From Conflict to Communion:

Journeying Toward Shared Faith and Life”

A Conference on the Christian Church—and It’s Future

Finlandia University, Hancock Michigan

September 25-27, 2016

We will gather clergy and laity alike to reflect on the five centuries since the Reformation began. With the help of Bishop Alex Malasusa from the

Eastern and Coastal Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and Dr. Mark Granquist from Luther Seminary as well as Roman Catholic and Protestant clergy and laity we will see where the church of God has moved from and where it is moving!

This event is sponsored by Finlandia University and the Northern Great Lakes Synod.

REFORMATION CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Sunday, September 25 - Events at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hancock

6:00-7:00 pm. ET Registration

7:00 p.m. Worship

8:00 p.m. Reception

Monday, September 26 - Events at Finlandia University

8:30 a.m. ET Welcome - Refreshments

9:00 a.m. Presentation: Dr. Mark Granquist: “Reformation and the Immigrant Experience”

10:00 a.m. Panel Response

10:45 a.m. Presentation: Bishop Alex Malasusa: “Reformation and the African Churches”

11:45 a.m. Panel Response

12:00-2:00 p,m. Lunch on your own

2:00-3:00 p.m. Workshops

3:30-4:30 p.m. Workshops

6:00 p.m. Banquet with Special Music at the Finnish American Heritage Center

Tuesday, September 27—Events at Finlandia University

8:30 a.m. ET Welcome - Refreshments

9:00 a.m. Presentation: Dr. Mark Granquist: “What is the Future of the Reformation?

Ecumenical Challenges and Hopes”

10:00 a.m. Table Discussions

11:00 a.m. Closing Brunch For more information and registration see our synod website: www.nglsynod.org/reformation/

Bishop THOMAS A. Skrenes (continued)

PAGE 2 NOTES AND QUOTES

NOTES AND QUOTES Page 3

BISHOP THOMAS A. SKRENES (continued)

Eight Stew-

ardship Evenings This August and September Across the

Northern Great Lakes Synod

“Two Hours of Ideas to Build Your Annual Stewardship Campaign in Your Congregation”

WHO SHOULD COME? Stewardship leaders, congregation council members, pastors, and others interested in the future of the church. WHAT WILL HAPPEN? After we pray and while we have some refreshments, we will talk about the “Response at Worship” program, going over in detail how this ministry of generosity can assist your congregation. You will receive at no cost all the materials necessary to make this stewardship work happen. The “Response at Worship” is a program very similar to what has been known as the Consecration Sunday Stewardship Ministry. During the evening we will talk about planning, promoting and executing this program. This stewardship effort centers on what we do best as congregations – worship God. Come and see how your congregation can gain momentum and renewal with “Response at Worship.”

We will also distribute a book free to every congregation: “Embracing Stewardship: How to Put Stewardship at the Heart of Your Congregation’s Life.” It is a stewardship bestseller – and free to you!

We will also review the stewardship ministry opportunities that are important to the future of this synod including the “Always being Made New” Appeal and our excellent synod supported endowment ministry.

WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT? You will go home ready to have a fall or winter stewardship pro-gram with a great annual appeal program. And you will be energized to find new ways to share the story of your congregation, your synod and your ELCA.

PRESENTERS: Bishop Thomas Skrenes and Members of the Synod Stewardship Committee

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THIS HAPPEN? 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. local time

Monday, August 22 Immanuel, Escanaba Tuesday, August 23 United, Crystal Falls Monday, August 29 St. James, Rudyard Thursday, September 1 Holy Trinity, Chassell Tuesday, September 6 Prince of Peace, Eagle River Monday, September 12 Emmanuel, Menominee Tuesday, September 13 Bethany, Negaunee Thursday, September 15 Sharon, Bessemer

NOTES AND QUOTES PAGE 4

BISHOP THOMAS A. SKRENES (continued)

+May God bless the ministry of Pas-tor David Hen-drickson who was ordained at his home congregation, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Es-canaba, on July 16th. Pastor Hendrickson will be serving congregations in the La Crosse Area Synod.

+Congratulations to Pastor-elect John Ansell who has been called to United

Lutheran Church in L’Anse. He is a spring graduate of Luther Seminary. His ordina-tion is planned for August 21 in Malmo, Minnesota. God bless his ministry in our

midst.

+Warmest Congratulations to the newlyweds Pastor Breanne and Mr. Thomas Kinnunen. Pastor Bre serves Faith, Sault St. Marie and Thom-as is an officer in the state police.

+God bless the family of Pastor Peter Vorhes (Faith, Calumet) on the death of his brother Ste-

phen in Oregon; and the family of Pastor Wally Leno

on the death of his mother Freda in North Dakota. She was 102 1/2 years old. One day God’s people will all stand together again.

+We give thanks for the minis- try of St. Mark’s

Church in Marquette as they officially closed their ministry on July 17th. Since 1899 the Gospel has been proclaimed and the people of God served from this congregation. To God the glory!

+Thomas A. Skrenes

Bishop

TRANSITIONS

Page 5 NOTES AND QUOTES

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have been working on a presentation for the Theological Conference at Finlandia in September and the Festival of Congrega-tional Renewal in Gladstone in October called “Women of the Reformation.” So far, I have learned a lot. I had no idea that there were so many women who played a role in furthering Reformation theology and practices.

The women who have been noted by history tend to fall into two categories; they were either married to the reformers, or they were women of nobility, means, and education who furthered the cause. A notable few were peasants who were unfortunate enough to catch the attention of the local reli-gious authorities and summarily were exe-cuted for their beliefs. Some were tor-tured and killed for their convictions despite their rank. Some had their children taken away, some fled for their lives and lived in exile – all faced the struggle of living ac-cording to their convictions at a time of po-litical, social, and religious unrest.

Living in the Middle Ages certainly had its challenges. Life was uncertain at best. If your children lived to five years old, they stood a chance of living to 20. If they made it to 20, they had a chance of living to 40. But about half of live births didn’t make it out of infancy. With lack of medical care and the unsanitary conditions, a simple cut could be life-threatening. Add to that the many wars, outbreaks of plague, religious intolerance, and harvest failures, an average

Assistant to the bishop, Pastor Katherine Finegan

person died of starvation, disease, accident, childbirth, or violence by the time they were 30 or 40 years old.

I tell you this to give you some perspective. Because I’m guessing you too have noticed a rising anxiety in our world.

I have yet to meet one person who is excited by the coming November elections. Weekly, even daily, we hear disturbing and frightening news: another suspicious shooting of a black man by police, another terrorist bombing, another protest that turned violent, police officers gunned down as they try to save people. As I write this, the death toll in Nice, France is rising and the country is still reeling from shootings in Dallas, Minnesota, Louisiana, and Orlando. We hardly have time to properly grieve or process or examine the causes of one tragedy before another act of violence takes its place in the headlines or becomes the focus of our attention and concern.

As I write this on July 15, I wonder how much more suffering will be in the news by the time you read this in August.

More than a few emotions swirl around it all: Fear, defensiveness, disgust, shock, anger, sadness, grief, helplessness, more fear. The things that divide us demand our attention: Racism, issues of gun control and mental illness, political polarization and corruption, abuses of power - namely political, social, and religious unrest. It’s been 500 years since the Reformation, and yet our most significant strides seem to be limited to health care. Our life expec-tancy has doubled, however, the rest of it still needs some work. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son….” This world that God so loves needs

Page 6 notes and quotes

the presence of Christ as much now as it ev-er did. We are sent into the world be a shin-ing light, to bring a word of comfort and hope, to stand with the oppressed, to work for justice. In the words of Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Unfortunately, what this looks like, especially in our confusing, conflicted, and complicated world, is not particularly clear. It might mean some discomfort as you refuse to hear the racist joke from a good friend. It might mean examining the emotions that rise and figure out where they’re coming from and if they’re helpful. It might mean using your imagination to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and see things from someone else’s perspective, or doing a fearless inventory of personal attitudes that may challenge long held assumptions. It might mean voting differently, writing letters of protest, standing up for someone, simply being more aware. I’m really not sure. I only know I see the gap between people widening, and the fear of “others” growing, and if we, as people of faith in the risen Christ, who seek to follow the one who tells us to remember the least of these and commands us to love one another, if we don’t figure out how to bring reconciliation and hope, I’m not sure who will. So wherever you are, in your neighborhood, in your community, at work, on Facebook,

at your church, in your conversations, I believe the challenge of Luther to reform continues. In this time of political, religious, and social unrest, we continue to strive to live according to our convictions – that God still loves the world, through Christ, who lives and loves through those who believe in him. We have work to do. May God bless your efforts. Yours in Christ, Pastor Katherine Finegan

REFORMATION

It’s Still All About

J E S U S

“Stewardship is God’s grace working God’s purpose out in the world, in, with and through us, who, in grateful response to God and through faith in Jesus Christ, enter into a covenant relationship with the empowering Spirit of God that blesses all of creation.” - Rhodes Thompson As we end the first half of 2016, mission support (benevolence) gifts are 2% higher than through June, 2015. We give thanks to our congregations who have so generously and consistently worked to fulfill their pledged intent. The mission of the Synod and the ELCA could not be accomplished without the support and partnership of each of our congregations. To God be the glory for all we accomplish as we seek to do God’s will and work in our labor. - Betsy Koski, Bookkeeper

As of 6/30 2015 2016 $ Change % Change

Pledged Amount 829,089 829,367 +278 0%

Amount Received 376,818 385,041 +8,223 +2%

Designated Gifts 93,953 110,216 +16,263 +17%

Pastoral Vacancies and Interims

Full-time

Zion, Allenville and Bethel, Cedarville—Pastor Matthew Lamb

Porterfield, Porterfield; Beaver American, Pound—Pastor Ken Michaelis

Zion, Manistique—Pastor Stephen Gauger

Bethany, Norway; Calvary, Quinnesec—Pastor Douglas Johnson

First, Iron River; Trinity, Stambaugh—Pastor Mike Laakko

PAGE 7 NOTES AND QUOTES

1029 N. Third Street, Suite A Marquette, MI 49855

Phone: 906-228-2300 Fax: 905-228-2527

E-mail: ngls@nglsynod.org

NORTHERN GREAT LAKES

SYNOD

W E ’ RE ON T HE W E B

W W W . N G L SY N O D . OR G

F IND U S O N F AC EB O O K

July 31-August 6 Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp Staff

August 7-13 Pastor David Murphy

August 14-20 Pastor Diane Srutowski

August 21-27 Pastor Jeremy Nausin

August 28-September 3 Hayley Smith

September 4-10 JoAnne Barrix

September 11-17 Virginia Paulson

September 18-24 Available

September 25-October 1 Pastor Kay Richter

PRAYFAITHFULLY DEVOTION SCHEDULE

FOR August & September

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Marquette, MI 49855

Permit No. 22

Mail Label

SYNODCALENDAR

2 NGLSStaffMeeting,11a.m.ETattheSynod Office 3 TanzaniaVisitorsattheSynodOffice, 11–12:30p.m.ET FestivalofCongregationalRenewal Planning,6p.m.ETatFirst,Gladstone4 NGLSMissionOutreachCommittee,11a.m. ETattheSynodOffice8-13 ChurchwideAssemblyinNewOrleans, Louisiana14-19BishopSkrenesonVacation16 NGLSWorshipCommittee,10:30a.m.ETat Bethany,Republic17 PastorFinegan–CandidacyMeetingin Tomahawk,WI19 SynodicalWomen’sOrganizationMeetingat FortuneLakeLutheranCamp,Crystal Falls,10a.m.–3p.m.CT20 NGLSEndowmentCommittee, 11a.m.ETattheSynodOffice21 BishopSkrenes–OrdinationofJohn AnsellatBethesdaLutheranChurchin Malmo,MN.HeiscalledtoUnited, L’Anse.22 NGLSStewardshipCommittee,11a.m.ETat SynodOffice StewardshipEvent,6-8p.m.ETat Immanuel,Escanaba23 StewardshipEvent,6-8p.m.CTat United,CrystalFalls25-26BishopSkrenes–Region5Steering CommitteeinAppleton28 InstallationofPastorMelindaShriner, 2p.m.ETatOurRedeemer,Newberry29 StewardshipEvent,6-8p.m.ETat St.James,Rudyard

1 NGLSYouthCommittee,10a.m.ET atSynodOffice StewardshipEvent,6-8p.m.CTat HolyTrinity,Chassell5 SynodOfficeclosedforLaborDay6 StewardshipEvent,6-8p.m.CTat PrinceofPeace,EagleRiver8 BishopSkrenes–LSSMeetinginMilwaukee9-11 SynodCouncilMeetingatFortuneLake LutheranCamp,CrystalFalls11 Immanuel,RhinelanderandTrinity, Rhinelandercelebrate125thanniversaries12 StewardshipEvent,6-8p.m.CTat Emmanuel,Menominee13 StewardshipEvent,6-8p.m.ETatBethany, Negaunee15 NGLSHungerCommittee,1p.m.CT atFortuneLakeLutheranCamp, CrystalFalls StewardshipEvent,6-8p.m.CTat Sharon,Bessemer15-16 SynodicalWomen’sOrganization ConventionatFortuneLake LutheranCamp,CrystalFalls16-18 SynodicalWomen’sOrganizationRetreatat FortuneLakeLutheranCamp,Crystal Falls17 Conference8FallMeeting,10a.m.ET atMessiah,Marquette 18 NGLSCompanionSynodCommittee, 3p.m.ETatPrinceofPeace,Marquette20 BishopSkrenes–JudicatoryMeeting, 12:30p.m.ETatCatholicDiocese22 LaySchoolforMission/LicensedLay MinistryBoardMeetingbyGoogle Hangout,10a.m.CT/11a.m.ET25-27 ReformationTheologicalConferenceat GloriaDei,Hancock/FinlandiaUniversity28-Oct.4BishopSkrenes-ConferenceofBishops inChicago

20162016

Seminarian SupportZion, Ironwood Trinity, Trout Creek Emmanuel, Menominee Eden, Munising Shepherd of the Lakes, Sayner General Endowment Fund Pastor Kevin Kaiser Answer the Call/Fund for Leaders Sharon, Bessemer Trinity, Trout Creek Bethany, Negaunee Robert Knivila Pastor Bill and Melzee Jacobson Nancy Kangas Clyde Thoune Mission United, Pelkie Marilyn Johnson Al Rasmussen Marilyn Mouritsen NGL SWO Pastor Jim and Gisele Duehring Arline Waurio Grace, Pembine Grace WELCA, Pembine Jerry an Barb Ojibway Maureen Berg Community, Palmer Betsy Koski Skrenes Fund for Ministry Pastor Bonny Kinnunen Skogman Scholarship Fund Dirk and Susan Manson Our Savior’s, Marinette

Kemppainen Scholarship Fund Trinity, Ishpeming NGLS Companion Synod Projects St. Paul, Mass City Ascension, Minocqua Zion, St. Ignace NGL SWO Janet Kokko Pam Long Judith Quirk Christ the King, Escanaba Bishop Thomas & Luanne Skrenes Lutheran Campus Ministry Good Shepherd, Peshtigo Grace, Gwinn Prince of Peace, Marquette Calvary, Rapid River NGLS Mission Outreach Fund Immanuel, Escanaba Faith, Rock Lutheran World Relief Salem, Ironwood Calvary, Minocqua Zion, Marinette St. James, Rudyard Prince of Peace, Marquette Calvary, Rapid River Missionary Sponsorship Trinity, Rhinelander Disaster Relief Sharon, Bessemer Mission United, Pelkie Grace, South Range Bethany, Amasa Zion, St. Ignace Lutheran Social Services Trinity, Ishpeming Immanuel, Negaunee Emanuel, Skandia

BISHOP’S BOOK REVIEW A FAILURE OF NERVE: LEADERSHIP IN THE AGE OF THE QUICK FIX by Edwin H. Friedman (Seabury Books 1997) So is it a religion? It has its own scripture ("Generation to Generation"), its own prophets, Ed Friedman and Murray Bowen, and its own priesthood with a bevy of consultants who crisscross the country explaining “family systems theory." The theory, like all religions, is unproven but "family systems" is certainly an article of faith for thousands of clergy who have studied the theory in seminaries over the last thirty years. Indeed there are many "true believers" who think systems theory relates to every situation and occurrence within a congregation. There is even an insider "lingo" to family systems as "non-anxious presence and self-differentiation" are amongst the terms its disciples must learn and use.

Edwin Friedman is a Jewish Rabbi, family therapist and writer whose work with Jewish and Christian congregations has been very influential in accepted theories of pastoral care and congregational leadership. Friedman died before the completion of this work on leadership. The book "A Failure of Nerve" has no footnotes even as it has dozens of unsupported assertions. It was edited by two of his associates and published the year after his death. There are in the book many usable observations and practices that can benefit all of us who deal with organizations and groups.

Edwin Friedman contends that "leadership in America is stuck in the rut of trying harder and harder without obtaining significantly new results." (p.3) Leaders in our communities are sabotaged by "dependent members of any organizations (who) set the agendas and where adaptation is constantly toward weakness rather than strength, thus leveraging power to the recalcitrant, the passive-aggressive, and the most anxious members of an institution rather than toward the energetic, the visionary, the imaginative, and the motivated." Further Friedman believes that most consultants to congregations are counter-productive because they convince leaders that the "toxic forces can be regulated through reasonableness, love, insight, role-modeling, inculcation of values, and striving for consensus." This type of advice prevents them (the leaders) from taking the kind of stands that set limits to the invasiveness of those who lack self-regulation."(p. 12-13)

Churches are poorly served by leaders (pastors and lay leaders) who pursue a peace at any price posture. Congregations, Friedman says, wind up with pastors who are "peace-mongers," who consistently choose peace over progress. This pastor is a "highly anxious risk avoider, someone who is more concerned with good feelings than with progress, someone whose life revolves around the axis of consensus, a 'middler,' someone who is so incapable of taking well-defined stands that his 'disability' seems to be genetic, someone who functions as if she had been filleted of her backbone, someone who treats conflict or anxiety like mustard gas--one whiff, on goes the emotional gas mask, and he flits. Such leaders are 'nice,' if not charming." (p. 13-14)

Leaders must know who they are, what the mission is and to be determined not to waste the time, energy or opportunity of the organization. Based on several true stories that I have seen in my ministry as bishop, the following "fictional" vignette shows, us to some degree what Friedman means:

St. John Lutheran Church has 800 baptized members with about 250 people in worship on a weekend. The pastor brought a proposal to the council from the worship committee to change the time of the worship services. The council adopted the change unanimously after a yearlong study. One member of the

congregation, Anne, refused to accept the decision. She brought a resolution to the Annual Meeting to restore the previous schedule of services. Even with considerable campaigning Anne's attempt failed at that meeting by a two-thirds margin. After the meeting she confronted the pastor in a one sided shouting match that was viewed by the congregational leaders who had remained. In a few days rumors about the pastor and the pastor's husband personal spending habits began to surface. Many in the congregation reported to the council that the source of these unfounded rumors was Anne. Anne also published several negative letters about the congregation in the community newspaper. Council members received many long difficult phone calls from Anne. Other members, some friends of Anne, began complaining about the pastor, the Sunday school, the Confirmation program and the whole church budget.

The Council held several meetings with the "Anne situation" as the main business. The pastor assured the council she was trying to reason with Anne. She had been to her home to visit, talked to Anne after worship services every Sunday for a month and more about this matter and was even writing encouraging notes to her all during this time advocating reconciliation. The council spent its time thinking of more ways for the pastor to reach out to Anne. There must be, they thought, a reasonable way to help Anne realize that the decision was made fairly. After several months Anne, came to a council meeting and demanded the pastor's resignation. The council met separately with Anne in an attempt to calm things down. Weeks passed with no let up in the tension around the church. The month after Anne went to see the Bishop the pastor resigned.

Friedman would call Anne a terrorist. The pastor and the council wanted peace at any price. They failed in their first responsibility, which was to lead. Early on after the Annual Meeting when the will of the congregation was clear and when the rumors were first being started, Anne, according to family systems theory, should have been confronted by the pastor and lay leaders. She should have been told that she must cease her negative behavior. If Anne did not, she would be removed from the congregation. Even if their action seemed to some in the congregation "Un-Christian or even cruel" she would be removed. If action had been taken, the time spent in meetings about Anne would not have been wasted. The negative emotional stress on all the parties to this conflict would not have occurred. The mission of the church would have been most important and the pastor could have continued her ministry, not being held hostage by the terrorist Anne. Friedman reminds us that leaders need to take stands against people who threaten the integrity of the leaders and our institutions. "For terrorists to have power...three conditions must be fulfilled: (1) the absence of well-defined leadership; (2) a hostage situation to which leaders are particularly vulnerable; and (3) an unreasonable faith in reasonableness." (p.201)

Edwin Friedman has made a monumental contribution to our self-understanding as leaders. For me, his prescription to take a stand, follow your vision and be nearly ruthless in the pursuit of outcomes is tough medicine for our church's clergy and lay leaders. It is very hard to accomplish. Our clergy (true confession, even me) tend to be conflict avoiders and people pleasers. Our lay leaders do not like conflict and will avoid it even if it means the failure of a ministry or a program. I have seen pastors destroyed by such terrorism, and always less than courageous lay leadership in the congregation allows this to happen.

We can learn much from Rabbi Friedman when he says, excellent leaders do "not use and manipulate others, but in binds where they had to choose between continuing a relationship and giving up their goals, they stuck to their goals over 'team building,' consensus, and camaraderie."(p. 189) All of us think we are exceptional leaders in that we can be compromisers and visionaries, peace makers and progress builders, and all of this at the same time. His testimony is that unless we focus on the leaders and the mission, we are deceiving ourselves and we have a failure of nerve.

+Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes

SATURDAY OCTOBER 22 HANDBELL CHOIR WORKSHOP For both the beginner and advanced bell ringers, seasoned and novice directors. Come learn new techniques; resources, and more!

Featuring Lucas Wickstrom and other local Bell Choir Directors.

Register by going to www.nglsynod.org and use Paypal or detach the form below and send to 1029 N. 3rd St., Marquette, MI. 49855

Make checks to “Northern Great Lakes Synod”

***************************************************************

Name______________________________

Home Church________________________

Email_____________________________ Phone____________ Amt. enclosed_______

Sponsored by the

Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America.

www.nglsynod.org 906-228-2300

Direct questions to: ngls@nglsynod.org

At Bethel Lutheran Church 333 E. Ridge St., Ishpeming

From 8:30am – 3:00pm Lunch included

Cost: $10 if registered by Oct 14 $20 if received after Oct. 14

Festival of Congregational Renewal Friday, October 28 – Saturday, October 29 at First Lutheran Church, Gladstone, MI

Event Schedule

Friday, Oct. 28 (all times Eastern) 6:00 pm Registration 6:30 pm Opening Worship 7:30 pm Welcome 7:45pm Workshops 8:45 pm Reception & Displays

Saturday, Oct. 29 8:30 am Coffee & Registration 8:45 am Prayer & Prizes 9:00 am Workshops 12:00noon Lunch 1:00 pm Workshops 3:00 pm Prizes & Prayer

Only $10 a person Register by Friday October 21 at nglsynod.org using Paypal

or send check and registration form to Northern Great Lakes Synod 1029 N. Third Street, Suite A

Marquette, MI 49855.

($20 per person after October 21)

Hotel accommodations are on your own.

So Many Workshops! So little time!!! Bring a team from your congregation to

better harvest a wealth of ideas!!

Confirmed Workshops… ~Advocacy: Rev. Cindy Crane of LOPPW. Come learn the latest on the scourge that is Human Trafficking and what we, as people of faith, can do to address the problem.

~Celebration Resources: Pastor Erik Heskin What will your congregation do to mark the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation? There’s a lot of resources out there. Get some ideas of where to start.

~Constitutional Review: Rev. Doug Johnson How out of date is your Constitution? What is the process for amending it? Where is a church to begin? Come have all your constitution questions answered, and learn why this document is so important.

~Endowment: Tim Knutson Learn how congregations and individuals can make ministry possible for years to come.

~Faith Out Loud: Pastor Jim Duehring How do we articulate our faith? How do we find the words? Come consider the challenges to putting our faith into words and get a little practice.

~How to relate to those who are suffering: Pastor Tom Otis Learn some practical “How to” advice on how to be a helpful comfort to others.

~Leading in times of change: Pastor Tom Otis Pastors, congregational leaders, Council members etc, come and learn about positive leadership in the midst of anxiety and change.

~Lutheran Social Services: Pastor Jim Holmberg Learn about the partnership between our social service agency and our synod in the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin.

~Practice Discipleship: Lisa Johnson. Dive in to a session that explores relationships, deepens theological understanding, and nurtures faith.

~Reconciled in Christ: What does it mean to be a “Reconciled in Christ” congregation or organization? What is the process? The challenges? The blessings? Come and learn more about offering corporate intentional and wide welcome.

~Sneaky Visitor Initiative: Cori Bodeman, WLUC-TV We never learn so much as when we listen to someone else’s first impressions of us. Hear from a Sneaky Visitor about her experience as a first time visitor in many of our congregations and learn what you can do to improve the welcome that your congregation offers.

~Social Media: Pastor Erik Heskin Does our church really need to be online? (YES!) What is the best way to do this? Webpage? Facebook “Group”? Facebook “Page”? What about photos? Privacy concerns? What are the best practices? Come hear all about it.

~Stewardship Today: Bishop Tom Skrenes It’s not just about paying the bills. Come learn about the Spiritual Discipline of Stewardship and how to begin, or enrich, your congregation’s faithful response to the blessings of God.

~Thrivent

~Lutheran Confessions: What was the theology drove the movement? And why is it still significant today?

~Portico: Jennifer Prinz Come learn about the organization that provides health and retirement benefits to our pastors.

~Women of the Reformation: Pastor Katherine Finegan Katie Luther was not the only woman to participate in the radical movement that was the Reformation. Come learn about some of the lesser known, but no less influential, women played a part.

~World Hunger: Synod Hunger Committee

Come participate in a Poverty Simulation that will open your eyes to the very real challenges to those who live below the poverty line.

Registration for Festival of Congregational Renewal

October 28-29, 2016 $10/person by October 21, $20/person October 22 or later

Your Name: _____________________ Church and Town: _____________________________

Total Amount Paid: _______________

(please make checks payable to the Northern Great Lakes Synod)

REGISTRATION Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation

“From Conflict to Communion:

Journeying Toward Shared Faith and Life”

Sunday – Tuesday, September 25-27, 2016

Finlandia University, Hancock, MI

Sponsored by Finlandia University and the

Northern Great Lakes Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Please register me for the Conference: Name _______________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________ City _______________________________________ State_______ Zip ________ Congregation and City: ________________________________________________ E-Mail ______________________________ Telephone _____________________

PROGRAM and REFRESHMENTS $40.00 ______ MONDAY BANQUET $25.00 ______ (Total Program and Meals - $80.00) TUESDAY BRUNCH $15.00 ______ Please indicate any dietary restrictions: _________________________________________________________

Send registration and check to: Northern Great Lakes Synod Reformation Conference 1029 N. Third Street, Suite A Marquette, MI 49855

Please arrange your own housing accommodations. Motel listings in the Houghton/Hancock area are available online.

Pay by PayPal or download this form and return with a check made payable to the Northern Great Lakes Synod.

Please register early! Deadline is September 15!

Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation

“From Conflict to Communion: Journeying Toward Shared Faith and Life”

Sunday – Tuesday, September 25-27, 2016

Finlandia University, Hancock, MI

Sponsored by Finlandia University and the Northern Great Lakes Synod,

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Reformation Conference Schedule

Sunday, September 25 6:00-7:00 p.m. Registration at Gloria Dei Lutheran, Hancock 7:00 p.m. Worship at Gloria Dei Lutheran, Hancock 8:00 p.m. Reception at Gloria Dei Monday, September 26 8:30 a.m. Welcome – Refreshments 9:00 a.m. Presentation: Dr. Mark Granquist: “Reformation and the Immigrant Experience” 10:00 a.m. Panel Response 10:15 a.m. Break with Refreshments 10:45 a.m. Presentation: Bishop Alex Malasusa: “Reformation and the African Churches” 11:45 a.m. Panel Response 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Lunch on your own 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Workshops at Finlandia University 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Workshops at Finlandia University 6:00 p.m. Banquet with Special Music at the Finnish American Heritage Center Tuesday, September 27 8:30 a.m. Welcome – Refreshments 9:00 a.m. Presentation: Dr. Mark Granquist: “What is the Future of the Reformation? Ecumenical Challenges and Hopes” 10:00 a.m. Table Discussions 11:00 a.m. Closing Brunch

Summer

2017

AArree yyoouu aa pphhyyssiicciiaann,, PPAA,, NNPP,, nnuurrssee,,

ddeennttiisstt,, ddeennttaall hhyyggiieenniisstt oorr ootthheerr

mmeeddiiccaall//ddeennttaall pprrooffeessssiioonnaall??

DDoo yyoouu wwaanntt aann eexxppeerriieennccee

ooff aa lliiffeettiimmee?? WWee aarree ppllaannnniinngg

aannootthheerr ddeennttaall//mmeeddiiccaall mmiissssiioonn cclliinniicc..

JJooiinn BBiisshhoopp aanndd LLuuaannnnee SSkkrreenneess oonn tthheeiirr nneexxtt ttrriipp ttoo TTaannzzaanniiaa

Medical-Dental Mission Trip

To Tanzania

CCoosstt ––aabboouutt $$33000000--44000000

wwhhiicchh iinncclluuddeess ttrraavveell,,

llooddggiinngg,, aanndd aa ssaaffaarrii

The Medical Board of the Eastern

and Coastal Diocese in Tanzania is

specifically looking for dentists and

clinicians in obstetrics, geriatrics,

palliative care, and rehab, though all

specialists are encouraged to

consider.

INTERESTED? CONTACT

LUANNE SKRENES FOR

MORE INFO

TLSKRENES@AOL.COM ]

A Year of Prayer prayfaithfully@nglsynod.org A Lifetime of Praying! www.nglsynod.org/prayfaithfully Prayer Calendar – August 2016

1 Pray for pastors Kevin Kaiser, Joe Iverson, and Rell Spickerman as they celebrate

anniversaries of ordination this month. 2 Pray for those pastors both active and retired celebrating birthdays this month:

Sally Wilke 8/03, Paul Raappana 8/06, Diane Srutowski 8/06 and Bucky Beach 8/11.

3 Offer prayers of thanks for the visitors from Mtoni Lutheran Church in Tanzania at Synod Office and pray for those attending the Festival Planning Committee, 6 p.m. ET at First, Gladstone.

4 Pray for the Synod Mission Outreach Committee as they meet today at 11:00 at the Synod Office.

5 For a solution to the rampant gun violence in our country. Make all of our citizens, especially, our children safe, Heavenly Father.

6 Pray for those brave women who give children up for adoption. 7 Pray for the spouses of deceased pastors – Bonnie Baurele and Dale Caskey. 8 For all of those from our Synod attending the Churchwide Assembly in New

Orleans August 8-13, we pray for safe travel and a meaningful experience. 9 Pray for the members of Temeke Lutheran Church, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

and their NGLS Companion Congregation Lutheran Church, Gloria Dei, Hancock (Rev D.J. Rasner.)

10 Pray for the members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Baltimore MD, (Rev Bobby Booher), Epiphany Lutheran Church, Baltimore MD (Rev William Gohl) and Epiphany Lutheran Church, Ellicott City MD (Rev John Trautwein.)

11 For those men and women in the armed forces defending our country and their families who miss them and sometimes struggle in everyday life without those they love.

12 Pray for members of First – Iron River and Trinity - Stambaugh and their interim pastor, Rev Matt Lamb as they are in the call process during a pastoral vacancy.

13 Pray for all those in our synod attending seminaries and we pray that all congregations will encourage members to consider a career as an ordained pastor.

14 Pray for those pastors both active and retired celebrating birthdays this month: Cori Johnson 8/13, Christopher Johnson 8/16, Jim Duehring 8/18, and Jesse Brown 8/21.

15 Pray for retired pastors and their spouses – Rev Will & Pamela Nordmark, and Rev George & Ruth Olson.

16 For those attending the Worship Committee meeting at Bethany, Republic at 10:30 today.

17 Pray for Assistant to the Bishop, Pr Katherine Finegan as she travels to Tomahawk,

WI to attend a meeting of the Candidacy Committee. 18 Pray for pastors both active and retired: John Autio, Amanda Kossow and Craig

Mansur as they celebrate anniversaries of ordination this month. 19 Today is World Humanitarian Day. This day is dedicated to recognize humanitarian

personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. We pray our thanks for sending people like them. We pray also for those attending NGLS Women’s Organization Meeting, 10:00-3:00 CT at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp.

20 Pray for those pastors both active and retired celebrating birthdays this month: Don Wandersee 8/22, Matt Lamb 8/23, Andrea Fluegel 8/24, and Eleanor Russey 8/27. And for those attending the Synod Endowment Committee meeting at 11:00 at the Synod Office today.

21 Pray for Bishop Skrenes as he travels to attend the ordination of John Ansell at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Malmo, Minnesota. Pr Ansell is called to United, L’Anse.

22 For those attending the Synod Stewardship Committee, 11 a.m. at Synod Office and those attending the Stewardship Event, 6-8 p.m. at Immanuel, Escanaba.

23 Pray for traveling to and attending the Stewardship Event, 6 - 8 p.m. CT at United, Crystal Falls.

24 For those families taking children to college for the first time and missing them already. We pray that the almost adult children will be safe and will be industrious in their studies.

25 Bishop Skrenes and all those attending the Region 5 Steering Committee Meeting in Appleton, WI, today and tomorrow.

26 Pray for pastors both active and retired Diane Srutowski, Bill Jacobson, John West, and Gene Wickman, as they celebrate anniversaries of ordination this month.

27 Pray for the members of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frederick MD (Rev Douglas Jones), Evangelical Lutheran Church, Woodsboro MD (Rev Kathryn Rohrbach) and Faith Lutheran Church, Baltimore MD (Rev Andriamaheninkaja Zavandro.)

28 Pray for Pastor Melinda Shriner as she is installed at Our Redeemer, Newberry at 2 pm today.

29 For traveling to and attending the Stewardship Event, 6 - 8 p.m. at St. James, Rudyard .

30 Pray for pastors both active and retired Devon Barrix, Kenneth Lahners, Dave Christenson and Doug Norquist as they celebrate anniversaries of ordination this month.

31 Pray that all children may receive a quality education and that government officials will make this a priority when allocating funds.

“WeprayforcongregationsintheDelaware-MarylandSynodaspartofourdomesticpartnersynodrelationship.”

A Year of Prayer prayfaithfully@nglsynod.org A Lifetime of Praying! www.nglsynod.org/prayfaithfully Prayer Calendar – September 2016

1 Pray for those attending the Synod Youth Committee meeting a the synod office today

at 10:00. 2 Pray for those pastors both active and retired celebrating birthdays this month: David

Murphy, 9/06, Gene Wickman, 9/08, Thomas Skrenes 9/08, Judith Kirchoff 9/09, and Rell Spickerman 9/10.

3 Pray for all those in our synod attending seminaries, especially we pray for Kathryn Drefke.

4 Pray for the members of St. Stephen, Wilmington DE (Rev Barbara Melosh), Grace of God Millsboro DE (Rev Kelly Pensinger) and Joy Reigns, Edgewater MD (Rev Sara Yotter.)

5 Pray for all the workers in this country, past and present on this Labor Day.

6 Pray for teachers and educators and all who work in schools as they share their gifts. Pray for all students as a new year of classes begins. Pray also for those attending the Stewardship Event at Price of Peace, Eagle River 6-8 pm CT.

7 Pray for pastors Cori Johnson, Nancy Kauppi, Mark Bangert, and Tracy Polzin as they celebrate anniversaries of ordination this month.

8 For Bishop Skrenes as he travels to Milwaukee to attend the Lutheran Social Services meeting.

9 Pray for the members the Synod Council as they meet at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp today and tomorrow.

10 Pray for all those troubled and depressed people who may be contemplating suicide; that they will seek help. Suicide can be prevented and lives can be improved. We give thanks all those doctors, nurses, and counselors who are available to help those so troubled. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.

11 Pray for all those workers for Christ who celebrate this weekend by doing God’s work, Our hands in their communities. Pray also for both Immanuel and Trinity in Rhinelander as they celebrate their 125th Anniversary.

12 Pray for those pastors both active and retired celebrating birthdays this month: Kenneth Lahners 9/11, George Olson 9/12, Steven Solberg 9/14, and Mary Weinkauf 9/22. Pray also for those attending the Stewardship Event at Emmanuel, Menominee 6-8 pm CT.

13 Pray for the members of St. Mark, Hampstead MD and Christ Upperco MD (Rev Michael Adams), and for Lazarus Lutheran Church, Lineboro MD. Also pray for those attending the Stewardship Event at Bethany, Negaunee 6-8 pm.

14 Pray for pastors as they celebrate anniversaries of ordination this month: Timothy Nyikako, Julie Belew, Kari Vadis, Timothy Vadis and Greg Mileski.

15 For those attending the Synod Hunger Committee meeting at FLLC at 1:00 CT and for

those attending the Stewardship Event at Sharon, Bessemer 6-8 pm CT. 16 Pray for the Synod Women of the ELCA as they enjoy their convention Sept 15-16 and

their retreat Sept 16-18 at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. 17 For farmers who are harvesting their crops; we pray for good weather and

sufficient help. 18 Pray for those attending the NGLS Companion Synod meeting at Price of Peace,

Marquette at 3:00 today. 19 Pray for Sunday School teachers and leaders who put in countless hours of preparation

and organization to shape our children’s Christian foundations. 20 As we begin to see signs of autumn, we give thanks for the change of seasons, the

beautiful fall colors, and the special scent in the air in the NGLS. 21 For members of Zion Lutheran Churches in Manistique and their interim pastor,

Stephen Gauger, as they continue in the call process during a pastoral vacancy. 22 For those attending the Lay School for Mission/Licensed Lay Ministry Board

Meeting, 11 a.m. ET on Goggle Hangout. 23 Pray for the spouses of deceased pastors – Lavina Goodrich and Ruth Groth. 24 Pray for the members of Tandika Lutheran Church, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

and their NGLS Companion Congregation, Faith in Sault Ste. Marie (Rev Breanne Johnson, pastor.)

25 Pray for all of those traveling to attend the Reformation Theological Conference commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation at Finlandia University in Hancock Sept 25-27.

26 Pray for those pastors both active and retired celebrating birthdays this month: Mary Beth Kovanen 9/25, David Christenson 9/27, Peter Vorhes 9/28, and Lee Goodwin 9/29.

27 For those who give freely of their time to serve on committees, task forces and councils in all of the congregations of our synod.

28 For Bishop Skrenes as he attends the Conference of Bishops in Chicago Sept 28-Oct 4.

29 For police officers and fire fighters who risk their lives to keep us safe. 30 Pray for our retired pastors and their spouses – Rev Robert and Leda Patrick and

Rev Dean and Elaine Peterson. “WeprayforcongregationsintheDelaware-MarylandSynod

aspartofourdomesticpartnersynodrelationship.”

Northern Great Lakes Synod

A Workshop for All Those Entrusted with Congregational Finances:

Treasurer, Financial Secretary,

Pastor, Council, Parish Secretary

Saturday, November 5 12:30 p.m.— 3:00 p.m.

Immanuel Lutheran Church,

520 E. U.S. 41, Negaunee, MI

Topics Include: Best practices for handling cash funds Required Synod and IRS Forms Retention of Records W-2 vs. 1099 Misc. reporting

FAITHFUL FINANCES